Sunday’s Gospel closes the current series of readings where Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven using parables.As if sensing the end, the Gospel packs in three parables (plus a bonus parable), just make sure we don’t miss out on anything.

One of the short parables is the pearl of great price.A two sentence parable, this is really more of a snapshot - with the focus being on recognizing the value of the discovery and the response of the merchant who makes the discovery.

The merchant’s response mirrors what happens on shows like American Pickers where people pick through barns, old buildings, and storage containers looking for things to restore and/or resell.In all of those shows, the drama comes from the moment that someone recognizes the value of their discovery and what they must do to buy their find.

That’s the image that points to the meaning of the parable – recognizing the value of the discovery and the response of the picker who discovers it.